Paul Ruinaard

Yes it works well. even better if you are uinsg the Aple TV 4K. I have both my profule and my wife's loaded. Remote control can be a little tricky to gte used to but it works nicely.

its also been found tp be the casual workers who work for the people who pu out firees. No fires = no pay. Go figure

FYI I have one of these for the motorbike - also a LOT more expensive than the temu version: https://www.amazon.co.za/CYCPLUS-Inflator-Portable-Compressor-Motorcycle/dp/B095YCKBWJ/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=163299009970&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6ppbJjg4m_Ks8w_1PDVenriipPyqvJPTmXbs2QOSDvflEGfvpNl_GhvP1_hIEAFGg2hpBuV062qNNVx4WiDzjzCIGcuWaDU1MJyRFx-dzRc.PQrVKVAvLEVCM_cBCN2vG4EaKpkRv91Lz5MvbHJ6SVs&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=715278462878&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9221490&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2995516062490231912&hvtargid=kwd-2010352768981&hydadcr=28314_2530109&keywords=cycplus%2Btiny%2Bpump&mcid=79124602877c3f38904bb21076829fca&qid=1745570451&sr=8-2&th=1

let me review when it comes in - i went Let me check and review when it comes in - i went for one of the small ones for cycling. https://www.temu.com/goods.html?_bg_fs=1&goods_id=601099896476953&parent_order_sn=PO-184-20853878820392788&add_order=1&sku_id=17593794346637&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2Fb115ce93-785c-4a0a-85b8-9de1bd333690.jpg&_x_sessn_id=wohupxf4k4&refer_page_name=bgt_order_detail&refer_page_id=10045_1745569836096_cx8mz47798&refer_page_sn=10045 there are bigger ones which are better for motorbikes. I have one I used to use on my motorbike which worked fine - needs a bigger battery and more volume as cycling tyres much smaller but it worked okay.

yeah but if you look at the demos it makes a lot of sense rather than CO2 bombs which are always a lottery. I saw a video and as we had some punctures last weekend which were multiple CO2 bombs and pumps etc this would. have solved a ton of issues. Decided to pull the trigger on one.

Have ordered some of the Bibs and a gillet vest from them plus some other tat base don the reviews on tis site. At the price the shorts are great for the IDT in winter and Zwifting - as long as they are half decent i can get 3 pairs for every one Ciovita . lets see. Anyone order the new pocket infkators that seem to be all the rage - much niftier than CO2. if so which ones are the best?

This guy reminds me of the Frank Abignale - the "Catch me if you can" dude. I can see fame and fortune in this story.

All of this wrt technical skills goes back to the discussion around dropping hundreds of thousands Zars on your dream race and then only to have a day 1 or 2 crash whilst going down a technical section. Break something and it ends your race, your partners race and there is no asking for a refund. So you become super conservative about the stuff you know you could probably ride or may think is a bit technical and then rather walk it, because you want to finish it. Honestly it screws up the fun you would have normally had IMO. Also mismatch in partners abilities - you dont want to force the weaker technical rider in to a mistake and then end the race that way. You think differently in the Epic. You are running a long game with all aspects focuse don a longer term horizon. Even Anika walked the one descent in the prologue, but having said that its super sketchy and i probably think about 50% of the field would also have walked it.

Good article IMO and the race has changed. it is going to fracxture IMO in to a pro race and a Letape type race for the amateurs in the not so distant future. Thats the only way forwrd when the levels keep increasing. That or more rigid qualification criteria than the size of your wallet and ambition.

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/garmin-connect-plus I see this on Bike Radar. It was only a matter of time before this started to become a service. I think we will see more of this and its going to be very interesting as the tech matures. FWIW i have seen on F 1 sites AI connected virtual driving rigs that take pro drivers and materially improve their lap times. there is no reason this cant or wont happen in cycling. Imagine live real time copilot functionality on your head unit monitoring your perfromance and coaching you.

Yep agreed. I have been through 2 x motors and 2 x batteries on a Specialized levo - one was during lockdown so replacement batteries were like hens teeth. I had the original invoices so got a discount on the motor. Batteries - good luck. And when they fail they are catastrophic. I have tried to get them repaired but no one can reset the Battery Management Software (BMS) that Specialized uses so good luck with repairs. Having said that at least with Specialized you can get spares and repairs done. Some bikes are so niche i dont know how to source spares. In general with ebikes there is a need to stick to known brands as the motors fail and so do the batteries. FYI the last thing i had that popped was the Specialized range extender i so dearly love as it removes range anxiety on my Turbo Levo SL - i have a R 11k paper weight right now as no one can repair it.

Again amongst other things I can think of is the need to find like minded people who are enduring your pain and spending as much time on their training and journey as you are for your big event . Peer groups really help to pull you through and keep you motivated, other than your partner. If you train in a large city you can find people who are training for your events and ride with them as the length of some of the base rides is sometimes way above what your regular riding groups would be willing to commit to. When you are fit and doing base rides of 5 1/2 hours at 30 kmh on a road bike you cover a massive distance. I still have memories of places i never thought i would ride to on a bike. Your normal Saturday riding buddies aren't going to be willing to ride as slow or as far as you may need to. That makes it very tough and easy to just do the group ride or race which is what you normally do. You need mates who are in the same boat and mates other than your partner. You get to know each other very well and get in to a bit of a bubble. Very unusual experience.

I think a dicussion on budget for "hardware" is essential given the training volume you have to make plus the need to ensure your chosen steed is race ready and reliable implies many chains, clusters brake pads and tyres as well, some of which will be used in training alone and in the race then be prepared for servicing costs, massages and the like as well as daily kit changes, nutritional plans etc. This all adds up execptionally fast. Also to be honest probably start with new brake pads plus three to four sets spare, new tyres and spares, new chains and clusters plus spares and then depending on hardwrae batteries etc. Plus mechanics to fit them and ensure the bike is repaired as if you are at the back you are knackered.

As they all said the lowest cost option is maintain and ride it if its in reasoable condition. Clusters, chains, etc are all available. Unless you are doing some radical stuff and are pro level the bike is probably more competent than the rider (i dont know you) and when you get to the point you are being held back by the bike then you are probably ready for a new bike. Sticker prices are falling in bike land, so maybe somehting you see makes sense. Unless you have cash burning holes in your pockets and an urge to go N+1. Thats a different discussion.

https://en.brujulabike.com/tragedy-at-the-absa-cape-epic-2025-a-rider-dies-during-the-competition/ Not sure if it has been discussed but if it has sorry for the re-post however here is some details of the fatality that was rumoured but now confirmed. RIP the rider. Very sad.